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Saunders is a skilled shooting guard who proved to be very capable of handling the ball and being a primary facilitator in the Crimson offense. He was a capable pick and roll player and was able to use the ball screens effectively to get his offense. He was able to get into the lane and is able to pull up off the dribble, where he shot 37% according to Synergy Sports Technology, despite sporting lackluster mechanics on his shot. At times, he struggled to get all the way to the rim, especially against the athletic defenders he would face in the NBA, forcing him into a contested long two point attempt.

Saunders is not the most creative ball-handler around, relying heavily on his strength to overpower defenders in the lane, which can lead to some awkward shots just outside the paint or from the mid-range area when he can't get a step on his man.

However, Saunders has shown the ability to distribute and create offense for his teammates as well as just scoring, as he posted 5.1 assists per 40 minutes pace adjusted fourth among shooting guards in our top 100 prospects. He doesn't make flashy passes but he keeps his teammates involved and the ball moving within the Harvard offense.

When Saunders is able to get to the rim, he isn't a great finisher as he averaged just 49.5% on shots at the rim in the half-court according to Synergy Sports Technology. He is uncomfortable finishing with his left and almost always finds a way to get back to his right hand. His lack of explosiveness hurts his ability to finish around longer big men, so he counters this with an effective runner once he gets to the paint, which he uses well to convert at close range.

One area Saunders improved upon in his senior season was his perimeter shooting. Converting just 27.3% of his 33 three-point field goal attempts his junior season, Saunders shot 43.1% on 72 threes his senior season. The very limited sample size of just 2.6 attempts per game leaves a lot to be desired, though, and Saunders' highly inconsistent mechanics will likely be a hindrance in converting to the NBA 3-point line unless he is able to revamp his shot and find a more repetitive stroke. Saunders is a flat-footed jump-shooter, even in off the dribble situations, and sports a slow and deliberate release on his shot (sometimes with an ugly hitch) that will make it difficult to get off against better defenders. This is likely one of the reasons he attempts so few jumpers, despite his strong percentages as a senior. Showing that he can be a consistent outside shooter will be a major key to his draft stock and he'll have to do his best during pre-draft workouts to impress scouts.

Defensively, Saunders is a bit of a mixed bag and could turn into either an asset or a source of frustration at the next level. In on-ball situations, he can move his feet well laterally and use his strong frame to contain penetration, and his long arms to contest shots.

Off the ball, he anticipates passes and using his length to force turnovers, as he averaged 2.2 steals per 40 minutes pace adjusted, ninth among all prospects in our top 100. He's also an active rebounder, as his 7.3 total rebounds per 40 minutes pace adjusted ranked third among shooting guards in our top 100.

The problem is he doesn't always get in a stance, which can see him get beat off the dribble or caught in screens, taking him out of the play. When he is focused defensively, he can cut off dribble penetration, and get over the top of screens, but his energy level isn't always where it needs to be to get the job done consistently. Saunders generally seems to have a very laid back approach to the game, but when he's fully engaged and playing with aggressiveness, he can be quite a handful, on both ends of the floor.

Heading into the pre-draft process, Saunders will need to show he can be a consistent outside shooter to complement the offensive versatility he showed in his four years at Harvard. After laying a foundation for future success for the Crimson, he'll hope to become the first player from the Ivy League drafted since Penn's Jerome Allen in 1995. Even if Saunders doesn't get drafted, he should find numerous professional opportunities and may play his way into the NBA at some point during his career.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/#ixzz3grVEXEKg
http://www.draftexpress.com

WaltLongmire wrote:We had him in for a pre-draft workout, if I remember correctly.

Q&A With Harvard Guard Wesley Saunders

June 4th at 7:07pm CST by Zach Links

Throughout the spring and summer, Hoops Rumors will be talking with some of the most intriguing prospects in the 2015 NBA Draft. Today, the Hoops Rumors Draft Prospect Q&A series continues with Harvard point guard Wesley Saunders.

Many notable figures in U.S. history have cut their teeth at Harvard, but there haven’t been a ton of high-level professional athletes to come out of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Point guard Wesley Saunders, however, could be an exception. After leading the Crimson to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and two memorable upsets, Saunders is now looking to continue his career at the highest level. Saunders, who is racking up serious frequent flyer miles as he auditions for teams all across the country, spoke with Hoops Rumors at the airport before heading to Atlanta to work out for the Hawks.

Zach Links: What workouts do you have scheduled?

Wesley Saunders: When all is said and done I’ll have worked out for the 76ers, Hawks, Mavericks, Clippers, Bulls, Magic, Bucks, and Knicks. Wesley Saunders (vertical)

ZL: Do you think it’ll be tough bouncing around from city to city so quickly and giving 100% for each of these?

WS: I don’t necessarily think it’s too much pressure, really. In the Ivy League we used to play games back-to-back on the weekends, so I have a bit of an advantage over some of the other guys from different conferences because I’m used to it. I’m used to going out there one night and giving my all on the court and doing it all over again the next night.

ZL: How did the 76ers workout go?

WS: It went well. It was my first one so I was a little bit nervous. I didn’t know what to expect going in but I think that those guys have a really great workout plan laid out. It was fast-paced, quick, and efficient. I did a lot of shooting drills, some 1-on-1, some 3-on-3. This is fun for me, we’ve been working out and getting ready for these workouts so I’m well prepared.

ZL: Where are you working out of? Are you working out with other players?

WS: I’ve been in the Los Angeles area, mostly at USC and Westchester High School. I’ve mostly been doing it solo but I’ve also worked out a bit with Dwayne Polee since we’re in the same agency.

ZL: If you had to compare yourself to an NBA player, who would it be?

WS: I’d say Wesley Matthews. I think that coming out of college we have some similar skill sets. We’re around 6’5″ and 220 pounds. A lot of people say we’re not super athletic, but we’re certainly athletic enough. [Matthews] was by no means a lights-out shooter like he is now. He developed that later on and I think I can develop in the same way that he did. He created a great career for himself and he’s one of the best shooting guards in the league right now.

ZL: What do you think makes you stand out over other point guards in this class?

WS: I think it’s my versatility. I have the ability to make plays for myself or for others and I have a high basketball IQ. I’m good at playing out of the pick-and-roll and that’s like 80 or 90% of the game in the NBA right now. I can defend against 1s, 2s, or 3s on defense and I just think that I have that jack-of-all-trades quality. I can fit into a lot of different roles.

ZL: What do you want to work on?

WS: I definitely want to work on my shooting consistency from three-point range. I shot about 42% from outside this year, but that’s the college three. The NBA three is a whole different animal. I also want to improve my lateral quickness and my explosiveness so that I can really stay in front of those quick 1s.

ZL: In the last three years your Harvard teams have wound up on the national stage in the NCAA tournament. What was your anxiety level like going into each tourney?

WS: I was the most nervous for the first one against New Mexico. I think that was because we had never been there before, so everything was kind of brand new. We were playing against a really good team and people said they were a possible FInal Four team. They were a really popular tournament pick. We were an underdog. Nobody really knew about us. We just got into a rhythm and we were able to pull out the win.

The next year against Cincinnati was a little bit different. Going into it we were really confident. We felt like with the type of team they were, we could definitely have some success against them. We went in, we executed our game plan and came out with a victory.

This year against North Carolina, that was another one where we had a lot of nerves. That’s obviously a program with a storied history and so many great players have come through there. Obviously we were all familiar with Roy Williams and all the great players they had; at the same time, we’ve been there before. We’ve been the underdogs, so we knew we could get it done. Unfortunately, we couldn’t pull it out, but we gave them a good battle.

ZL: I imagine that the academic pressures of playing at Harvard can be pretty overwhelming for some guys.

WS: Honestly, it really wasn’t for me because I went to a great high school and that prepared me for the academic load at Harvard. It all just came down to time management.

ZL: Was that a concern for you before you committed to Harvard?

WS: I don’t think I had any hesitations about Harvard from that standpoint. The real hesitation for me was from a basketball standpoint: Was Harvard good enough athletically for me to really achieve my dream in the NBA? But, after talking to Coach [Tommy] Amaker and getting a feel for his vision of the program and where I would fit in, I felt comfortable that if I worked hard and believed in his system that I would be able to achieve my dream.

ZL: What led you to choose Tandem Sports and Entertainment to represent you?

WS: I just felt like I really fell in line with the players that they have already in their agency. They have some really high character guys and I really felt like they do things the right way.

Everybody in the agency is honest and trustworthy and they’re people that really want to help me with my career going forward. I think they’re very professional and, at the same time, they really have a vested interest in my success. They’re helping me to have not only a great basketball career, but a great life just moving forward, so I definitely felt comfortable with them.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

earthmansurfer wrote:

stopstandthere wrote:Triangle is not about rocket science. Do we need to sign a Harvard guy for that?

True, but knowing rocket science is a big help.

I think schools like Harvard, who are very methodical in their offense, works well with players going into the triangle.
And schools like Notre Dame are similar in a way, but play at a much faster pace. Which is why I think Grant is going to excel here.
System move.

Given the above, I'm pleased to have Saunders here. I believe his BBIQ is slightly better than our previous guards, if not a long miles.

Knicks1969 wrote:Measured at 6'4.5” without shoes with a solid 6'8.5” wingspan at the 2015 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, Saunders has the size to compete on the wing in the NBA. He also has a solid 218 pound frame as well to help him be physical on the perimeter with opposing guards. All-around, he has solid athleticism although none of his individual physical traits stand out from the pack. While he was one of the most athletic players in the Ivy, he did not stand out physically against the elite-level competition of Virginia and North Carolina.

Saunders is a skilled shooting guard who proved to be very capable of handling the ball and being a primary facilitator in the Crimson offense. He was a capable pick and roll player and was able to use the ball screens effectively to get his offense. He was able to get into the lane and is able to pull up off the dribble, where he shot 37% according to Synergy Sports Technology, despite sporting lackluster mechanics on his shot. At times, he struggled to get all the way to the rim, especially against the athletic defenders he would face in the NBA, forcing him into a contested long two point attempt.

Saunders is not the most creative ball-handler around, relying heavily on his strength to overpower defenders in the lane, which can lead to some awkward shots just outside the paint or from the mid-range area when he can't get a step on his man.

However, Saunders has shown the ability to distribute and create offense for his teammates as well as just scoring, as he posted 5.1 assists per 40 minutes pace adjusted fourth among shooting guards in our top 100 prospects. He doesn't make flashy passes but he keeps his teammates involved and the ball moving within the Harvard offense.

When Saunders is able to get to the rim, he isn't a great finisher as he averaged just 49.5% on shots at the rim in the half-court according to Synergy Sports Technology. He is uncomfortable finishing with his left and almost always finds a way to get back to his right hand. His lack of explosiveness hurts his ability to finish around longer big men, so he counters this with an effective runner once he gets to the paint, which he uses well to convert at close range.

One area Saunders improved upon in his senior season was his perimeter shooting. Converting just 27.3% of his 33 three-point field goal attempts his junior season, Saunders shot 43.1% on 72 threes his senior season. The very limited sample size of just 2.6 attempts per game leaves a lot to be desired, though, and Saunders' highly inconsistent mechanics will likely be a hindrance in converting to the NBA 3-point line unless he is able to revamp his shot and find a more repetitive stroke. Saunders is a flat-footed jump-shooter, even in off the dribble situations, and sports a slow and deliberate release on his shot (sometimes with an ugly hitch) that will make it difficult to get off against better defenders. This is likely one of the reasons he attempts so few jumpers, despite his strong percentages as a senior. Showing that he can be a consistent outside shooter will be a major key to his draft stock and he'll have to do his best during pre-draft workouts to impress scouts.

Defensively, Saunders is a bit of a mixed bag and could turn into either an asset or a source of frustration at the next level. In on-ball situations, he can move his feet well laterally and use his strong frame to contain penetration, and his long arms to contest shots.

Off the ball, he anticipates passes and using his length to force turnovers, as he averaged 2.2 steals per 40 minutes pace adjusted, ninth among all prospects in our top 100. He's also an active rebounder, as his 7.3 total rebounds per 40 minutes pace adjusted ranked third among shooting guards in our top 100.

The problem is he doesn't always get in a stance, which can see him get beat off the dribble or caught in screens, taking him out of the play. When he is focused defensively, he can cut off dribble penetration, and get over the top of screens, but his energy level isn't always where it needs to be to get the job done consistently. Saunders generally seems to have a very laid back approach to the game, but when he's fully engaged and playing with aggressiveness, he can be quite a handful, on both ends of the floor.

Heading into the pre-draft process, Saunders will need to show he can be a consistent outside shooter to complement the offensive versatility he showed in his four years at Harvard. After laying a foundation for future success for the Crimson, he'll hope to become the first player from the Ivy League drafted since Penn's Jerome Allen in 1995. Even if Saunders doesn't get drafted, he should find numerous professional opportunities and may play his way into the NBA at some point during his career.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/#ixzz3grVEXEKg
http://www.draftexpress.com

Well

Saunders seems smart on his demeanor, cool & feel for game from Saunders highlights. Do not appear to play arrogantly.
his athleticism seems borderline, meaning not to say he isnt as athletic as rest of
pack NBA role players trying for NBA jobs, he isnt that great athletically ..which carries you
a long way in NBA jobs as a role player.

In short you need to have alot of other Hoops skillsets to stick in Pros for NBA jobs. Thus his athleticism is just Ok ? ..for now
He got a nice shot, and some penetration to basket.

However true test is when known defender pro NBA guys stick some D'
his way as well as Offensive NBA pros make him play D .. how he does
with borderline athletic skills.

Got a tad potential but there is a reason why Saunders wasn't drafted higher
I won't use the IVY school as a part of it/excuse.

Cheap pickup signing for Knicks at least he's youth.
Can only improve if he works hard, I dunno.
Knicks seem to find these guys with some ink' (Atkins) but dont see world of NBA knocking over the pack to grab such players.

But we'll see... On Saunders at least NYK mgmt. is trying and being proactive which is a good thing in Knickland eh !